AI-assisted Short Film | 00:04:48 | 2026

Flavor Journey is a heart-warming animated short film of approximately four minutes. It tells an adventure story of a jar of homemade soy-vinegar sauce brewed by grandmother, which sets off on a journey to find Xiaohao, a boy who has left home.As the protagonist of this work, soy-vinegar sauce is a traditional Chinese condiment. It carries not only gustatory memories, but also the love shared among family members. Even when one’s physical form is gone, relics, scents and tastes keep them alive in the memories of those who hold them dear.Death remains a heavy theme at every stage of life. Through this tender animation, we intend to convey that we need not fear the departure of loved ones. As time goes by and paths twist and turn, those who love you will always find you in some way.

Chen Zhuang, Zhiqi Zheng, and Nan Jiang form an interdisciplinary creative team working across film, technology, and literature. Chen Zhuang studies Theatre, Film and Television Literature and works as a director and screenwriter. Zhiqi Zheng, majoring in Electronic Information Engineering, focuses on AI technologies, prompt engineering, and generative workflows, while Nan Jiang, a student of Chinese Language and Literature, contributes to script development and AI-assisted visual production. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, the team explores how emerging technologies can expand cinematic storytelling and visual expression.